Excellence in Retailing Awards celebrate the most creative and innovative retailers in Canada. (CNW Group/Retail Council of Canada)

TORONTO, April 27, 2017 /CNW/ - Retail Council of Canada (RCC) announced today the 2017 Excellence in Retailing Awards finalists. In total, 61 finalists from 35 standout companies will receive the coveted recognition as being amongst the most creative and innovative retailers in Canada.

The finalists were selected by a volunteer panel of 36 hand-selected retail industry leaders that included retailers, vendors, and media. First time and returning judges from across Canada worked closely together to bring rigor and new perspectives to the evaluation.

"The Excellence in Retailing Awards program is one of the most exciting opportunities retailers in Canada have to be celebrated for their ingenuity," said Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO of Retail Council of Canada. "Retail in Canada needs creative and innovative leaders who can work together and drive ongoing business success. These finalists represent the very best in our industry." Added Ms. Brisebois, "The Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala, when we announce the actual winners, is always a highlight, with the incredible energy and dynamic that only these most talented retail innovators can inspire."

2017 Excellence in Retail Award Finalists by Company

Alcool New Brunswick Liquor

Best Buy

Calgary Co-op

Canada Goose

Canada Post

Canadian Tire

FGL Sport Ltd

Frank and Oak

FreshCo

goeasy Ltd

Groupe Dynamite

H&M

Hallmark Cards Canada

Hudson's Bay Company

Ikea Canada Ltd Partnership

Indigo Books & Music

LCBO

Loblaw Companies Ltd

London Drugs

Mark's

Mountain Equipment Co-op

Pandora

Penguin Shop

PetSmart Canada

RBC

Regal Home and Gifts Inc

Rocky Mountain Soap

Roots Canada

Sears Canada Inc

Shepherd's Fashion Accessories

Sobey's

Surmesur

Toys R Us

Walmart Canada

Well.ca

The 2017 winners will be announced at the Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala on May 30, 2017. One of the most high-energy and looked-forward to evenings of the year for the retail industry, the Gala completes the first day of STORE 2017, Canada's biggest retail industry event of the year which this year is May 30th to May 31 at the Toronto Congress Centre. For more information on the Excellence in Retailing Awards or to purchase Gala tickets click here.

This year's Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala will also honour Bonnie Brooks with the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award, and present Clint Mahlman and London Drugs as the winner of the 2017 Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year Award.

About Retail Council of Canada:

Retail is Canada's largest employer with 2.2 million Canadians working in our industry. The sector annually generates payroll of $60 billion and approximately $350 billion in sales (excluding vehicles and gasoline). As of 2016, Retail Council of Canada (RCC) members represent more than two thirds of retail sales in the country. RCC is a not-for-profit industry-funded association and represents small, medium and large retail business in every community across the country. As the Voice of Retail™ in Canada, we proudly represent more than 45,000 storefronts in all retail formats, including department, grocery, specialty, discount, independent retailers and online merchants. www.RetailCouncil.org